Copolymerization of maleimide (MI) and ethyl alpha-(hydroxymethyl) acrylate (EHMA) was performed at 60 degrees C with AIBN as the initiator in THF. The monomer reactivity ratios were determined as r(1) (MI) = 0.13 and r(2) (EHMA) = 2.20. As the molar fraction of MI in the monomer feed increased, the initial rate of copolymerization decreased. TGA diagrams suggested the crosslinking reaction of the copolymer on heating. DSC and WAXD results suggested the existence of incomplete crystallinity in the copolymer.